20101107
Nation

Nairobi — The runoff of the presidential election will be held on November 21, 2010, the Chairman of Cote d'Ivoire's Constitutional Council Prof Paul Yao Ndré has said.

Prof Ndré said the date has been set in keeping with the electoral laws of the country which stipulate that a delay not exceeding two weeks should be set for a runoff in the advent of the failure of an outright winner of the first round of elections.

Speaking on national television on Saturday night, Prof Ndré praised the Ivorian electorate for its massive turnout culminating in an historic vote during the first round on October 31 which registered a turn out of 80 per cent.

He also congratulated the presidential aspirants for their courage and ability to control their supporters which he said made job less for the security apparatus and thereby culminating in a peaceful plebiscite.

Prof Ndré also expressed appreciation to the international community for its financial and material support without which he said, the electoral process would have been impossible.

He added that he and his colleagues of the electoral commission would be most grateful if all those with grievances or queries over any aspect of the electoral process, could proceed with such to the concerned authorities for "a prompt and amicable redress."

"We have all put our hands on deck to ensure that the elections take place in the most transparent manner possible and assure peace and tranquillity during and after the polls for the benefit of this nation and its people," he said.